An ORDINANCE OF THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT Containing certain INSTRUCTIONS To be issued by the Committee for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports, to such fit Persons as shall desire to set forth Ships as private men of War.  
Die jovis 29 januarii 1645.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, That this Ordinance be forthwith printed and published.  


Joh. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. Dom. Com.    
LONDON, Printed for john Wright at the King's Head in the old Bayley. 1645.   

Die jovis, 29. january, 1645. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, concerning certain Instructions to be issued by the Committee for the Admiralty and Cinque-ports, etc.  
WHereas the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports, are by an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament authorized and enabled to do and execute all such things as appertain to the Office of Lord High Admiral of England. And whereas it is Ordained by another Ordinance of Parliament, dated 30 November 1643. That it shall and may be lawful for any his Majesty's good Subjects, that shall be approved and thereunto appointed by the Lord High Admiral of England, appointed by both Houses for the time being, in warlike manner to Equipp, arm, furnish, Man, and set out to Sea, such and so many Ships as they shall think fitting, and with the same to seize, surprise, and take all and all manner of Ships, and Vessels, which they shall meet withal, in or outwards bound from any Port, or place within any his Majesty's Dominions, being in Hostility against the Parliament, or coming from, or returning to any such Port or place; or that shall be found to have Traded with the Inhabitants of any such Port or place, since their defection from the King and Parliament; and also to seize, surprise and take all, and all manner of Pirates, and Sea-Rovers of what Nation soever, and their Ships and Goods whatsoever; And that the Ships to be so employed shall have liberty to seek, and take their purchase where, and how they please, according to such instructions as shall from time to time be given them by the Lord High Admiral of England, or the Commissioners of the Admiralty appointed by both Houses for the time being. And whereas this Committee hath been Petitioned, by _____ Owners of the Ship the _____ _____ for our approving of them, to employ the shid Ship under Command of Captain _____ in execution of the powers granted by the said Ordinance; We do hereby signify and declare, That we have approved and appointed, and do hereby approve, and appoint the said Petitioners in warlike manner to Equipp, furnish, and arm the said Ship, the _____ and to place in her a competent number of Soldiers, Mariners, and Gunners, with necessary Arms and Provisions, and the same so Manned, Equipped, Armed, and provided to set forth to Sea, under command of the said Captain _____ _____ And the said Captain _____ to employ the said Ship, for doing and performing the Services hereafter mentioned; That is to say, For the seizing, taking, and surprising of all Ships, and Vessels belonging to any of his Majesty's Subjects, which the said Ship shall meet withal, in or outwards bound from any Port or place, within any of his Majesty's Dominions being in Hostility against the Parliament, together with all the Ordnance, Ammunition, Victuals, Goods, Commanders and Soldiers therein; as also for the seizing, surprising, and taking of all and all manner of Ships, and Vessels whatsoever, with the Ordnance, Ammunition, Victuals, and Goods therein belonging to any Rebel or Rebels in Ireland; and also the Ships and Goods of any other Person whatsoever, Forraigner or other, which shall be going to or coming from any Port or place in Ireland in Hostility against the Parliament; as also for the seizing, surprising, and taking of all and all manner of Ships, and Vessels belonging to any Foreigner or foreign Nation, going to any Port or place in Hostility against the Parliament, with Arms, Ammunition, or other Contrabando Goods for supply of the Forces raised against the Parliament, and adjudging and condemning the same, together with the Goods themselves, and all such other Goods as belong to the Masters, or Laders of such Contrabando Goods as also for the seizing, surprising, and taking of all Pirates, and Sea-Rovers of what Nation soever, and their Ships and Goods whatsoever, according to the authority, meaning, and true intent of the said Ordinance of the 30. of November, 1643. Provided that before the going forth of the said Ship, the said Captain _____ together with the Master, and principal Officers thereof, or such other sufficient persons in their behalf, as shall be accepted of by the Judge of the Admiralty for the time being, do and shall enter into Bond of two thousand pounds in the Admiralty Court, with condition, That neither the said Commander of the said Ship, nor the Master or Company, or any of them, shall (under pretext of the said Ordinance, or of these Instructions) spoil or damage any of the King's Subjects, nor any of the friends or Allies of this Kingdom, other than such as are intended by the said Ordinance and these Instructions; As also, that for justification of the prize or prizes that the said Commander shall take, he shall bring into the Registry of the High Court of Admiralty, all such Cocquets, Bills of Lading, and other Documents and Writings, as he or any of his Company shall take or find in any such Ship or Vessel, and shall bring in with every such Ship or Vessel, two or three of the principal Officers thereof taken in the same, to be examined by the Judge of the Admiralty, or such as he shall appoint, concerning the property of the said Ship, Vessel or goods therein, and to such other questions and Interogatories, as he shall think fit to administer in that behalf: And also that neither he, they, nor any of them, shall break Bulk, spoil, waist, or diminish any of the said Ships, or Goods, until they shall be adjudged in the High Court of Admiralty to have been lawfully taken, according to the true intent and meaning of the said Ordinance, and these Instructions; and a true and just Inventory and appraisement be taken and made of the same: And the Judge of the Admiralty is hereby prayed and required to take Bond accordingly, and to certify the same under the Seal of the Admiralty Court, without which no benefit is to accrue to the said Commander, Officers, Mariners, or any others interessed in the said Ship, by any thing done in pursuance thereof; And the said Captain _____ shall truly pay and deliver to such Collectors or Receivers as both Houses of Parliament, the Committee of the Admiralty, or the Lord High Admiral for the time being, appointed by both Houses of Parliament, have or shall appoint the full tenths of every such prize, as shall be taken by virtue of the said Ordinance, or these Instructions.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Committee for the Admiralty, do give Instructions to such fit persons as shall desire to set forth Ships as private men of War, according to the tenor aforesaid, notwithstanding any former Order or Ordinance to the contrary.  


Io. Brown Cleric. Parliamentorum.  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. Dom. Com.    
FINIS.